Infiniti M revealed

This is the Infiniti M, which goes on sale in the UK in September.

The M will be Infiniti's flagship model and will be offered with V6 petrol and diesel engines, which will be followed in 2011 by a new high-efficiency hybrid version.

Sold as a direct rival to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the M's pricing structure won't be released until closer to its launch in September.

The M was shown at the Geneva motor show in March, and has a low aerodynamic drag rating, with a Cd rating of 0.27. Much of the structure, including doors, bonnet and bootlid, is made of aluminium.

Flagship quality
The interior has been designed to take centre-place in the Infiniti range, with the use of new soft-feel plastic technology to increase accentuate the classy feel of the cabin. The 2.9-metre wheelbase exceeds that of many rivals' to ensure there's plenty of room for five adults.

Engine and technology
The M37 will be first model to make it into UK Infiniti centres. Powered by a 316bhp 3.7-litre petrol engine, it will have a seven-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters. The engine and transmission response can be set by the driver to Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow modes.

Other high-end features available include Blind Spot Intervention, which can automatically react to vehicles in your blind spot, Active Noise Control, which cancels out engine noise, and Dynamic Cornering Assistance, which uses individual brake control to reduce steering effort during tight manoeuvres.
Active four-wheel steering will also be an option on certain M models.